QAF Block Swap for May 2010

California Snowballs

pattern by Patricia Thompson (Shaka)

8 1/2" (unfinished), 8" (finished)

This block will be lots of fun, from the fun fabrics we will use, to the novel and fun construction technique.  For our block swap, we will be making 2 blocks at the same time—a positive block and a negative block.  You will be delighted to know that there is almost NO wasted fabric at all!  And when joining blocks together to make a quilt, there are no seams to match up.  Super simple!

FABRICS: 

Each set of 2 blocks requires two (2) 10” squares of fabric from the ‘Kaffe Fasset Collective’ (or other ‘looks-like’ fabrics).  For a swap group of 12 swappers, you need 30” of each of two different fabrics.  Be sure to pre-wash with UNscented laundry products.

One of the fabrics (Fabric #1) should be a medium to dark print that is also medium to large scale.  (This could be a floral or a paisley, for example.) 

The other fabric (Fabric #2) should be a light to medium print and should be a smaller scale than fabric #1.  (This might be a stripe, pin dot, or small buttons or fish scale print, for example.) 

NOTE:  Some contrast between the two fabrics is necessary for the corner pinwheel to show up when the blocks are joined together into a quilt.  See the sample quilt for fabric ideas.

CONSTRUCTION: 

Stack your two (2) 10” squares of fabric and place them on your rotary cutting mat so the stacked squares align with the bottom and left side of your mat grid.  This grid is very helpful when marking the blocks and when aligning your rotary ruler for cutting off the corners.

Using a permanent marker, it will be necessary to make 2 small dots along the outside raw edge of all 4 sides of the top block as follows: 

Measuring from top left corner, make one dot on the TOP edge 3-1/2” from the corner.  Measuring down from this same top left corner, make one dot 5-1/2” down on LEFT raw edge of block.

Duplicate these dot markings for each of the remaining 3 corners. 

To cut the upper left corner piece, place your rotary ruler so that it is just under the first dots – 3-1/2” to the right of top left corner and 5-1/2” down from top left corner.  Cut along this diagonal line and move the stack of top left corner pieces about 1” away from the body of the block.  (see sample block illustration)

Duplicate this same process for the remaining 3 corners.

When all 4 corners have been cut off and moved slightly away from the body of the block, cut ½ inch off of each original raw edge of the block body.  NOTE:  This is the approximately one inch of original raw edge remaining on each side between the corner pieces that were previously cut and moved aside.

Bring the bottom piece of block body (Fabric #2) up so it is now on the top of the stack of block body pieces.  Move the corner pieces (Fabric #1) back so they are close to the block body. 

You will now sew the corner pieces from fabric #1 to the fabric #2 block body/center.  Align the corner pieces (right sides together with block body) so that the corner of the 3-1/2” side extends out from the block body slightly.  You will have a little ¼” dog-ear at this edge.  The long tapered 5-1/2” piece will extend beyond the opposite edge about ½ to ¾”.  This is not a mistake. Sew the corners back on  with a ¼” seam.

After all 4 corners are sewn to block #1,   press so the seams are toward the corners.  Using an 8-1/2” Square-up ruler, center the Square-up ruler over the pressed block and trim off excess fabric from all 4 sides.  There will be approximately ¼” to trim away.

Repeat the process of sewing the remaining corners to the remaining block body/center to make Block #2.  Press,  square up and trim to 8-1/2” square.  You will now have made a set of 2 mirror blocks from just two 10” squares—one positive block and one negative block. 

You will make and mail out a set of two (2) of these blocks to each other swapper in your group(s). 

See Sample Quilt (below).